The brand new Audi R8 Spider was spotted by spies while it was doing some tests at the Nurburgring track. The rear bodywork is new to the car and has been given a two-piece flat rear deck that replaces the sweeping pillars of the coupe.

This allows for a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder-style folding roof, with small rear fabric buttresses.The buttresses are partially disguised by the fake sloping rear screen. Beneath this, and on the production cars, youâ€™ll find a glass cover showing the engine in all its glory. Expect most R8 Spider owners to tick the options box for the LED engine bay lighting.

An R8 currently costs Â£78,300 in UK money, so expect to cough up at least Â£85k for an Spider version. Add another Â£7k if you want an R-tronic gearbox and at least ten grand more for the V10 version. That car will appear later this year, while the Spider is expected in mid-2009, with a debut at either the Geneva or Frankfurt motor show.